Unequal Access to Medications Creates Two-Tier Healthcare System

Atlantic Canadians Challenged to Access Best Treatments

MONCTON, New Brunswick, (December 8, 2006) – The Best Medicines Coalition today called upon the Provincial and Federal Ministers of Health to investigate the issue of unequal access to life-saving medications in Canada. Many Atlantic Canadians are being unfairly denied insurance coverage for medications prescribed by their physicians, often being forced to take less effective treatments for their chronic illnesses.

“The decision of how to best treat a patient is the professional duty of a physician,” said Dr. Leo Picard, of the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Regional Hospital. “As a rheumatologist, I carefully weigh the pros and cons of any treatment option before prescribing a drug. Insurance companies should not have the power to veto decisions made by me and my colleagues in the best interest of our patients.”

Approved medications offer Canadians the chance to better manage their disease but access to these drugs is drastically different depending on province of residence and insurance provider.

“Medications help Canadians manage chronic illness so they can continue to be productive members of society,” said Linda Wilhelm of the Best Medicines Coalition, who has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years. The Best Medicines Coalition is a national group of organizations whose members represent the voices of Canadians living with or affected by chronic illness. “Millions of Canadians are living with some form of chronic illness,” said Ms. Wilhelm. “The government needs to address this issue. As a result of decisions made about access to necessary medications, people are suffering needlessly.”

Arthritis is the leading cause of long-term disability and life-long deformity in Canada. The disease accounts for billions of dollars in health costs, lost productivity and pay.